What’s Causing Your Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be a nuisance, but for some people, chronic bad breath, can be a source of anxiety and impact their quality of life. While there are several possible causes of halitosis, the main culprit is usually poor oral hygiene or diet. We take a look at some possible reasons behind that breath odour.
Spicy, fragrant foods
Garlic, raw onions and spices are usually the common offenders of short-term bad breath.Have you ever tried getting rid of ‘garlic breath’ by brushing your teeth but had no luck? That’s because your stomach absorbs oils from this food during digestion, which then pass into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs. As a result, this causes an odour that others can notice in your breath for up to 72 hours or three days.
Drinking coffee
Who knew your daily cuppa Joe could be the reason behind your bad breath? Because coffee beans are roasted to bring out the aroma and flavour, the process causes sulphur-containing aroma compounds to form. Unfortunately, these sulfuric compounds and the acid in coffee can cause bad breath.
Not brushing, flossing
If you neglect your oral health, including brushing your teeth (or brushing the correct way) and flossing regularly, harmful bacteria will invade your mouth and multiply out of control. As a result, this can lead to issues such as halitosis, cavities and gum disease. Brushing helps to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth and causes odour. Flossing removes food particles and plaque in places your toothbrush can’t reach, such as between your teeth.
Problems with your teeth or gums
Problems with your teeth or gums, such as gum disease, holes in your teeth, or an infection, can all contribute to bad breath. This stresses the importance of visiting the dentist every few months for a dental cleaning. Gum disease happens when you don’t remove plaque promptly from teeth, and over time, plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar can’t be removed by brushing, and it may cause pockets, or small openings, to form in the area between your teeth and gums. This allows food, bacteria and dental plaque to collect in these pockets, causing a strong odour.